'Headin' for a Weddin' promises farcical fun

In the foreground, 11-year-old Anna Jenkins and 12-year-old Brandon McKay pair off in a square dance at rehearsal. Anna’s parents are Robin and Kevin Jenkins. Brandon is the son of Steve and Patricia McKay. The couple behind them are Anna Moss, 12, daughter of Bill and Ruthie Moss; and Austin Green, 13, son of Brett and Robin Green. Photo by: Tanner Imes Buy this photo.

Pandemonium breaks out as the “Widow Blairhouse,” Anne Burkart, center, tries to break up a scuffle between Matthew Chaffin, right, and her stage “son,” played by Gunner Wilson (on the floor) during YMCA Drama Team rehearsal Tuesday for “Headin’ for a Weddin’.” Lauren Trimm, at left, is shocked at the turn of events in this comical production set for July 30-31 at Joe Cook Auditorium. Chaffin is the son of Les and Phyllis Chaffin. Lauren is the daughter of James and Dusty Trimm. Gunner’s parents are Kelly and Josh Ward. All are from Columbus.Photo by: Tanner Imes Buy this photo.

From left, Avery Smith, 14, Shiloh Wilson, 14, and Mikaela Green, 13, rehearse a scene for “Headin’ for a Weddin.” Avery is the daughter of Patricia and Kevin Smith of Caledonia. Shiloh’s parents are Kelly and Josh Ward of Columbus. Mikaela is the daughter of Brett and Robin Green.Photo by: Tanner Imes Buy this photo.

In the upcoming YMCA Drama Team presentation of "Headin'' for a Weddin''" July 30-31, Homer Hollowbone is in love with a big city debutante named Melissa Dugan, whose picture he found in a newspaper wrapped around some fish. Pretending to be everything he''s not, Homer begins a correspondence with Melissa, selling himself as a refined gentleman who lives in a mansion and vacations in Europe.

Woe unto Homer (played by Matthew Chaffin) when the lovely Melissa (Krista Green) arrives to marry her well-educated young man of the letters -- only to discover he''s actually a Virginia hillbilly, living in an old shack with his ne''er-do-well family.

"Matthew and Lauren steal the show with their woulda-coulda-shoulda almost-been courtship and marriage," laughed director Terri Gillis.

Hilarity ensues as the cast of about 20 presents Le Roma Greth''s play Friday and Saturday at Joe Cook Auditorium in Columbus at 7 p.m. each evening. Accomplished musician Richard Miller of Columbus will entertain on guitar before the show Saturday evening, at 6:30 p.m.

"Our hillbilly jamboree dancers will entertain us also before the show and during intermission," said Gillis.

Getting in character

"I''ve never played any role like him before," the 18-year-old Chaffin said of "Homer." This play may well be Chaffin''s last for the Y Drama Team. The 2010 Columbus High School graduate will leave for Harding University in Arkansas soon.

"It''s sad that I''ll be leaving, but I''ll come back to see some of the productions. This play is hilarious; I love it. It''s been fun, working on how strong an accent to use and looking for wardrobe I can use."

"This is one of the funniest things I''ve ever been in. ... It''s been a little hard because I have a natural Southern accent, and I''m supposed to be from Rhode Island. I''ve been trying to research people from Rhode Island," she chuckled. Krista, a May graduate of Immanuel Center for Christian Education, will attend Mississippi University for Women in the fall.

"I''m going to the W, so I''m planning on staying with the drama team because it''s like the highlight of my life! It''s great."

The thespians join other colorful characters -- like Paw Hollowbone (Daniel Talley), who teaches tricks to his pet skunk, Gloria -- to bring comical heft to this summer treat.